A Warden mage starts the game at level 1 with the spell Arcane Bolt in addition to two other spells of choice. Each level thereafter a mage gains one spell per level, and additional extra bonus spells are awarded at various points during the story. One free spell is gained after the Joining Ritual at Ostagar, another after reviving Arl Eamon during The Urn of Sacred Ashes, and a third after the Landsmeet. Up to 5 more spells can be attained through tomes.

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Many spells generate threat on hit or activation. In addition to the threat number found in the spell mechanics' descriptions, any damage dealt by the spell will generate additional threat. This additional threat is based on the damage amount in relation to an enemy's maximum health: e.g. dealing 50 damage to an enemy whose starting health is 100 will generate 50 points of threat, as will dealing 100 damage to an enemy whose starting health is 200.

The player character can aggro entire groups (or sometimes pieces of them) without having to visually expose yourself and enter combat mode, thus turning most encounters into ambushes rather than straight battles. In conjunction with the survival skill, they can identify an enemy group location, pick the best spot for an ambush (positioning party members, etc.), then cast an AoE spell on the door (the spell will usually "lock" onto the door as a valid target for the spell) or suitable ground location. When comfortable with this tactic, it is possible to cast two or three large AoE spells, kill a majority of the group, and never get hit.

It should also be noted that using Blizzard is a great first spell, as it will usually "freeze" the entire group in its tracks, allowing for a few seconds of party-wide target practice.